112 COLUBER ALLEGHANIENSIS, 



Colours. The head is black above; the marginal plates of both upper and 

 under lip are silvery vs'hite, edged with black; the throat also is silvery white. The 

 body is above intense black, glistening or polished; but in a certain light a mixture 

 of brown can be perceived on close inspection, without however any definable 

 pattern: many of the scales have marginal dashes of white, which become visible 

 when the skin is extended; towards the tail however the scales are entirely black. 

 Beneath, the anterior part of the abdomen is white, clouded with brown, and the 

 posterior part and tail entirely slate-colour. 



Dimensions. Length of the head, to the commencement of the small scales, IJ 

 inches; of the mouth, from the angle to the centre of the lower lip, If inches; 

 total length, 5 feet 3 inches; tail 9 inches. Circumference of the body in the 

 thickest part, 4 inches. 



Geographical Distribution. This fine specimen was captured on the summit 

 of the Blue Ridge in Virginia, by Mr. George Robbins of this city. Mr. Wilkens, 

 of New York, also favoured me with a specimen from the Highlands of the Hudson. 

 It is probable that its range extends throughout the AUeghanies. 



Habits. The animal in confinement seemed of an exceedingly mild and gentle 

 disposition; forming in this respect quite a contrast with its fellow prisoners, two 

 individuals of the common Black Snake, (Coluber constrictor,) who maintained 

 at all times their original wildness. It lived several months, and is now deposited 

 in the Museum of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 



General Remarks. The Coluber Alleghaniensis is readily distinguished from 

 the Black Snake by its carinated scales; still the two species bear a general 

 resemblance, and might readily be confounded. Perhaps the accounts of the Black 

 Snake occurring of unusual size, that we sometimes hear of, may refer to the 

 present species. 



